'Destination dining' - that's not a term you hear any more in Bengaluru. There was a time when diners drove to the CBD or popular restaurants even if it meant driving across town. Not anymore, Bengaluru's dining scene is largely driven by neighbourhood dining. It's not just the traffic, each of Bengaluru's F&B hotspots has myriad options that you don't need to leave your neighbourhood anymore. Along with areas like Indira Nagar and Whitefield, Koramangala is one of Bengaluru's food zones. From craft breweries to regional cuisine restaurants to hipster cafes, Koramangala is a microcosm of Bengaluru's eclectic dining scene. Our list aims to capture the flavour of Koramangala's vibrant dining scene.
Also Read: 10 Best Standalone Restaurants To Eat In Alwarpet, Chennai
Here Are 10 Best Restaurants You Must Try In Koramangala, Bengaluru:
1. Kappa Chakka Kandhari:
This lively restaurant with an open kitchen takes its name from three ingredients that are unique to Kerala cuisine including the fiery Kandhari chilli. Nostalgia is the driving force that brought the restaurant's three promoters together. The restaurant's selection of set menus and One Pot meals are dominated by rare heirloom recipes from Central Kerala.
18th Main Road, 6th Block
2, XOOX Brewmill:
One of Koramangala's popular 'after hours' hangouts and where you're likely to find one of the best versions of a German-style Hefeweizen. If you're a first-timer, we'd recommend checking into their al-fresco section and ordering their sampler that usually also includes the popular Citrus IPA. The food menu is quite diverse but it's the Asian cuisine that has our vote.
KHB Colony, Koramangala Industrial layout
3. Toscano Restaurant and Wine Bar:
Forum Mall remains one of Bengaluru's weekend magnets. Toscano's one of Bengaluru's oldest home-grown Italian restaurants is one of the popular dining options at this mall. It works equally well for a celebratory dinner or family weekend brunch weekend brunch. Check out their grilled basil crusted lamb chops, the spinach ravioli and their signature Kahlua mousse.
Forum Mall, 7th Block
4. Koramangala Social:
Designed to invoke images of Bengaluru's iconic Lal Bagh botanical garden, our favourite 'Social' in Bengaluru is reminiscent of a Greenhouse - lots of natural light and greenery. It's spread over two levels and features the same high energy, sometimes quirky décor that we have come to love. You'll find all the Social signatures like the honey chilli fries, the pork ribs and the absolutely sinful PBJ (Peanut butter Jelly toast with bacon served with ice cream .
Koramangala Industrial Area, 7th Block
5. Zingron:
Bengaluru is home to a large community from Nagaland. Zingron translates to 'blessings of the morning sun' in one of the many Naga dialects. This is where you can play truth or dare and accept the spice challenge with the bhut jolokia (arguably the world's spiciest chilly) chutney in the mix. We'd recommend the smoked pork thali or the Axone (or akhuni) if you're ready for the pungent flavours that come from the fermented soyabeans.
1st A Main, 7th Block
6. Nasi and Mee Asian canteen:
This popular Asian restaurant brand began its journey in Koramangala. The high energy interiors will transport you momentarily to a hawker centre or food street in South East Asia. The menu combines iconic dishes from across the region. I keep coming back for their translucent dim sums -the soupy Xia Long Bao is my favourite and their fail-proof Iced milo.
80 Feet Road, 4th Cross Road, 4th Block
7. Dalma:
Probably the city's best known Odia restaurant. The interiors are simple, the focus is almost entirely on the food; the restaurant chain (with branches in Odisha) takes its name from the state's most famous dal. We'd recommend the thalis for first time visitors; regulars also swear by popular signatures like the Bamboo Mutton and the Matihandi chicken. Do stay for dessert and feast on the keeri (a rice pudding with a hint of bay leaf) or the chhena poda.
60 feet Road, 6th Block
8. Third Wave Coffee Roasters:
A quintessential hipster café where you're likely to run into plenty of coffee snobs and the occasional start up entrepreneur or angel investor. The Third Wave journey started in Koramangala - it's now a national chain. The promoters believed that Bengaluru is India's first city to truly embrace the third wave in coffee, where consumers actually care where the coffee beans come from.
80 Feet Road, 4th Block
9. K-OS:
A great spot to catch up with your buddies or for an impromptu after work drinks with your co-workers, India's first darts bar is spread over 3000 sq.ft. and offers 10 dart lanes - a first in the city. Envisioned as a space that blends comfort food with social gaming, K-OS has a wide selection of small sharing plates like skewered lemon chili garlic prawns
20th Main Road, 7th Block
10. Hole in the Wall Cafe:
Chicken fajita tacos for breakfast? Why not. What started as a no-frills garage-style outlet by a Bengaluru couple more than a decade ago has blossomed into a popular dining destination for European style food and big weekend breakfasts. Their fully loaded waffles are a popular choice, also try the Mash and Goan sausage topped with a fried egg.
8th Main, 4th Block